1974 Dodge Crew Cab - Where's The Fire (truck)?

There's no doubt that computers and the Internet have affected many aspects of our lives, including how we look for cars and parts. Most of the shopping we do now for cars or parts is done online, which is exactly what led Bob Rynes of Spencerville, Indiana, to score a deal on this '74 Dodge Crew Cab Power Wagon.

A couple of years ago Bob needed a four-speed transmission for a '67 GTX he was working on, so he decided to begin his search online. Using eBay, Bob wasn't having much luck searching for the transmission, but ran across an auction for a '74 Dodge W-200 Crew Cab pickup truck. Having always wanted an older Crew Cab, and knowing there aren't that many around, Bob bid on the truck, which was located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Checking the auction regularly, Bob ended up winning the Dodge truck and made plans to drive it back to his northern Indiana home. Arriving to pick up the truck (no pun intended), Bob was surprised at the condition and options of this unique Dodge truck.

2/8Originally an airport fire truck for the Talladega, Alabama, airport, this truck has some unique options like a PTO winch and six-inch lift kit.

This particular Dodge had been ordered as a fire truck for the airport in Talladega, Alabama, and had some odd options as a part of the airport fleet. Equipped with a Dana 60 rear end and Dana 44 front differential, the Dodge was lifted six inches and powered by a 360 engine and four-speed transmission. Equipped as a workhorse, this truck had a PTO powered winch in the front bumper and only showed some 36,000 original miles likely having rarely left the airport. Although it had several paintjobs (original red, then yellow, then lime green, then yellow again, and finally black spray can), the truck's body was very straight and rust-free. The truck made the trip to northern Indiana without incident, and along the way Bob began to really like his newest Mopar.

Not necessarily needing another project, Bob decided since the body of this truck was so clean that he'd treat it to a full mediablast and paintjob back to red, choosing Viper Red to replace the factory hue. Not stopping there, Bob installed a complete 2008 Ram interior into his '74 Crew Cab, and made some upgrades and repairs to the 360 as well. Bob loves his truck, and is happy with the way it turned out, though he does state that this project turned into "the most expensive four-speed transmission for a GTX that I ever bought." We thank Bob for sharing his hidden treasure, and look forward to seeing the truck as he plans to bring it to this year's Mopar Nationals.